Brainy Brian White has has his heart set on building his future in Britain

But Brian has now been allowed to stay and take up his place at the top uni.

The news was announced by a friend of Mr White who organised a petition calling on the Home Office to grant the “brilliant” student, from Wolverhampton, indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Mr White, who lived in a Zimbabwean orphanage until the age of six and was fostered and later adopted by the White family, had an application to become a British citizen by naturalisation rejected in 2014.

BPM Media

Brian White (right) and friend Luke Wilcox who has won a place at Oxford University

PA:Press Association

Brian White, pictured with MP Eleanor Smith, had been told he can not stay in the UK legally

The straight-A student had feared his immigration status could cost him a place at Oxford to study chemistry.

His friend Luke Wilcox then set up the petition, signed by more than 110,000 well-wishers, urging the Home Office to grant indefinite leave to remain to "a fantastic person who is just as much a part of British culture and society as you and I".

In a statement Mr Wilcox said: "At the moment we would like to enjoy some personal time.

"But we would like to thank all those that supported the campaign and signed the petition, and we are grateful to them for helping change Brian's life."

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